Paluma Profiles – Roy Mackay

This month in ‘Meet A Villager’ we introduce you to Roy Mackay.

Roy Mackay celebrated his 90th birthday last March (2018) with one of the biggest birthday parties Paluma has ever seen. The Rainforest Inn was bursting at the seams on the afternoon of Sunday 18th March as all of Roy’s Paluma friends and family joined him for a very special day to mark his 90 years young.

Roy Mackay has led a truly remarkable life. He was born in Camperdown in Sydney in 1928. Roy’s passion for nature, the outdoors and ‘the bush’ developed very early in life and as a young child he kept several varieties of non-venomous snakes. His interest in herpetology has been life-long and even today he is known locally in Paluma as the ‘snake expert’.

Roy’s first job as a taxidermist

Roy’s first job after leaving high school was to train as a taxidermist at the Australian Museum in Sydney. He became so accomplished at his work that he was to become Head of the Department of Taxidermy.

In his mid-twenties, Roy met and married his wife Margaret, who was also a lover of nature and wildlife. They met at a monthly meeting of the Royal Zoological Society in Sydney. Margaret was a nature photographer  and she also worked as a zoo-keeper at the Taronga Zoo.

In 1964, Roy and Margaret moved to Papua New Guinea and Roy took up a position as the Director of the Papua New Guinea Museum in Port Moresby. Roy’s work involved travelling the lengths and breadths of PNG to collect indigenous artefacts and museum specimens.

Roy’s love of nature, culture and anthropology led him to spend the next 23 years in PNG. He also worked as the Director of the Baiyer River Sanctuary, which focused on a breeding program for the Bird of Paradise in the western highlands of PNG.

In 1987, Roy and Margaret moved back to Australia and made Paluma their permanent home. Roy says that they chose Paluma to live because they could be “close to nature”. Roy has lived in the village for the last 31 years.

Roy’s early training as a naturalist, curator and scientist means that he is an avid record keeper. Even today, Roy keeps meticulous records. If you want to know the rainfall figures for last November, the average daily temperature for June, or how many snakes have been observed in the village this month, then Roy will have it documented!. His diligence in record keeping is to be admired and envied.

What is most astounding is that Roy has kept detailed journals of his life’s work and travels, filling volumes and volumes  of precious hand-written diaries. To add to his achievements, Roy is a published author, with his numerous books and pamphlets pertaining mostly to his work in PNG. For many years, Roy has been a regular contributor to local newsletters, contributing articles on ‘Nature Notes’. Roy’s publications, his personal library, memoirs, journals and his contribution to science and the natural world is nothing short of outstanding.

Roy Mackay in his library

As a nation, Australia keeps a list of ‘National Living Treasures’. The recipients of this award are chosen on the basis of “having made an outstanding contribution to Australian society in any field of human endeavour”.  Roy Mackay would certainly qualify for this list. If the village of Paluma was to have such a list, then Roy Mackay would be at the very top of our list. He is our own very special, National Living Treasure.

 

 

 

 

 

Buddhist’s Retreat At Paluma

This week has seen the annual Buddhist’s Retreat held at the Paluma Community Hall. This is the thirteenth year this event has been held at Paluma. The course is organised by Buddhist Chaplain Phil Heang.

The teachings are provided by Lama Choedak, a Tibetan-born Buddhist. Lama Choedak trained as a monk for nine years, spending three and a half years in solitary retreat sponsored by The Dalia Lama.

Lama Choedak

The three day course focuses on ‘Calm Abiding Meditation’ which is the most fundamental of all Buddhist meditation practices. The teachings focus on using the tool of mindfulness to bring a sense of stability and clarity to the mind. Calm Abiding Meditation can assist in understanding the origins of stress and mental confusion and it can assist in coping with life’s problems.

Some 15 participants took part in this week’s course, some traveling from as far afield as Hervey Bay and Melbourne. Lama Choedak is based in Canberra and enjoys his annual visit to Paluma. Lama Choedak and Phil Heang would welcome Paluma residents to join the course next year. The course is usually held in early September.

Participants at the Buddhist’s Retreat

What’s Flowering in Paluma – Powder-Puff Lillypilly

Powder-Puff Lillypilly   (Syzygium wilsonii)

This beautiful small tree or shrub, also known as Plum Satin-Ash, may be seen in several Paluma gardens and also in the forest understory along the upper reaches of the Range Road. A modest, dainty tree, almost spindly in growth, it is easily overlooked until the emergence of new leaves. These cascade in pendant clusters of brilliant crimson, flame-like against the dark green of older leaves.

Flowering occurs between June and December, but here in Paluma the months of August and September see the most prolific blooming. At present there are many flowers to be seen, hanging demurely beneath long, dark green leaves. The gorgeous flowers are made up of dense clusters of filaments which form a delicate red pompon, about the size of an orange. They attract many birds, mostly honey-eaters. Clusters of cherry-sized creamy white fruit follow flowering.  It is not recorded whether they are edible, but most fruits of the Syzygium species are edible.

Syzygium wilsonii is usually seen as a shrub growing to about 3 metres, but it can occasionally grow to 9 metres. Its timber is fine-textured and moderately hard. It is resistant to fungi and termites, but susceptible to dry wood borers.  The wood can be used for making musical instruments, tool handles and furniture.

See if you can spot some of these gorgeous flowers hanging shyly beneath long leaves in Paluma gardens.

Text & Photo by Colwyn Campbell

A Garden Visitor – Echidna (Spiny Ant-Eater)

Paluma gardeners are quite accustomed to regular visits from the local wildlife, be it birdlife, bandicoots, wallabies, lizards and snakes. However, over the past two weeks an echidna or spiny ant-eater (Tachyglossus aculeatus) has been spotted in several gardens along the eastern end of Mt Spec Road. This spiky character has been seen digging for termites, ants and other invertebrate goodies to eat.

Photo by Clancy Swan

Echidna’s occur over most of Australia from cool temperate climes to tropical forests and desert. Mating occurs in July and August which might account for this individual being very active at present. It  seems to be particularly fond of the gardens at No’s 15, 16, 17 and 18 Mt Spec Road. Keep an eye out for this welcome garden visitor next time you take a walk through the eastern end of the village.

Working Bee at the Village Green

A very successful Working Bee was held on Saturday (25 August) at the  Village Green at Paluma. Fifteen very enthusiastic volunteers congregated at the Green to spread some mulch and topsoil around the Green and at the Trees In Memory. A very big ‘THANK YOU’ to all those attended to lend a hand and make light work of the tasks to be done.

The band of volunteers included:- Don Battersby, Graham & Judy Malpass, Len Cook, Wilfred and Suzanne Karnoll, Graham Pope, Jamie Oliver, Juanita Poletto, Peter Klumpp, Beth Snewin, Colwyn Campbell, Roy Mackay, Wayne Pellow and Michele Bird.

Volunteers at the Working Bee

Special mention goes to Graham Pope for bringing along his tractor!. Roy Mackay kept a close eye on operations and thanks to Suzanne for the tasty sausage rolls. The generosity and community spirit that exists in Paluma makes this village a very special place indeed!

Spreading mulch at the Trees In Memory

Birdwatcher’s Flock to Paluma

With the superb winter weather at Paluma, every week sees a ‘flock’ of birdwatchers visiting the village and surrounds to search out and photograph our birdlife. Last week, Murray and Dawn Frick spent time at Paluma and were hosted by Don Battersby at Hussey Road. Don provided some free mealworms and the birds arrived.

Murray and Dawn are sugarcane farmers from Bundaberg and this is their fourth trip to Paluma for birdwatching. When they are not working on the farm they love to travel around Australia. They are on their way home after seven weeks on the road, traveling some 10,000 kilometres throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory.

They first came to Paluma some years ago in search of the golden bowerbird. This trip they have photographed the golden whistler, satin bowerbird, rifle bird and many other species. Murray and Dawn say they are never disappointed when they come to Paluma as they know “we will always get good birds here”. We wish Murray and Dawn a safe trip home to Bundaberg and we hope to see you next year!

Wilfred Takes a Leap of Faith

Paluma resident Wilfred Karnoll joined other adventure-seekers last Sunday (12 August) at the Outer Limits High Ropes course at Paluma. Wilfred proved to be a natural at great altitude, taking all obstacles in his stride, whether  it be scaling poles, climbing nets or tackling wooden bridges high above ‘terra firma’.

Look, no hands!! 

Wilfred even took the ‘Leap of Faith’ which involves launching one’s self from the top of a wooden pole at great height to touch a large red buoy. This proved to be no challenge to Wilfred who accomplished the feat with ease.

Taking the ‘Leap of Faith’

Wilfred is 66 years old and he has just recently recovered from a broken foot, proving that there is no excuse for not having a go at the High Ropes course. Wilfred’s mid-air skills were so impressive, his friends and neighbours at Paluma now call him Wilfred (‘Sugar Glider’) Karnoll!

Searching for Rainforest Birds

Paluma is regularly visited by bird watcher’s from all over Australia and from around the world. This weekend (11 August) Ken Russell spent the day in the village, walking many of the local tracks. Ken lives in Victoria and he is a Member of Birdlife East Gippsland.

Ken Russell at Paluma

This was Ken’s second trip to Paluma and he spent the day searching for and photographing a variety of rainforest birds. He was especially keen on capturing images of the catbird, chowchilla, riflebird, noisy pitta, regent bowerbird and wompoo pigeon.

By all accounts, Ken had a very successful day, capturing some great images of a brazen catbird, riflebirds, satin bowerbirds and numerous other species. The chowchilla remained elusive and is still on Ken’s list of rainforest birds to photograph. 

 

 

 

Magical Mystery Tour to Paluma

Last Saturday (4th August) Paluma was part of a ‘Mystery Tour’ run by the Sunshine Coast company, Sinclair Tour and Travel. A group of 31 happy travellers stopped in at the Rainforest Inn for morning tea which included scones, caramel tarts and other treats made by Jennie and Neil. The group is enjoying a 5-day tour of North Queensland having visited Mackay, Airlie Beach, Townsville and now Paluma.

Happy travellers at the Rainforest Inn. Can you spot the Paluma local in the photo?

Peter Sinclair, the organiser and owner of the tour company, admitted that this was his first visit to Paluma after having driven past the turn-off on the Bruce Highway many times since the 1970’s. The group enjoyed their visit and noted that the highlights were the beautiful drive up the Range Road, the cool mountain air and the delicious caramel tarts! Peter says that now he has discovered Paluma he will certainly come back.

 

What’s Flowering in Paluma – Clivia or Kaffir Lily

Clivia or Kaffir Lily (Clivia miniata)

Clivias are native to South Africa and they grow in most areas of Australia from temperate to tropical climates. Clivias love the shade and they make excellent understory plants, especially in rainforest gardens at Paluma.

Clivias have clusters of brightly coloured trumpet-shaped flowers which range from bright orange, red, yellow and cream shades. The orange flowering variety tends to be most common. The flowers are held on sturdy stalks above dark strap-like leaves.  Clivias flower during late winter to early spring. They love the filtered light of the forest floor, mulch and moist soils, making them an ideal garden plant in the misty village of Paluma.

Text & photo by Michele Bird